Heavy rainfall forecast for Horizons Region from Sunday afternoon

MetService has issued the following severe weather warnings for the region:
Tararua District

• From 3pm Sunday until 7pm Monday, expect 140 to 180mm of rain, especially in eastern areas and about the Tararua Range. Intensities of 20 to 25 mm per hour about the hills and ranges, especially overnight Sunday to Monday.

• From 6pm Sunday until 6am Monday, expect severe gale southwesterlies with damaging gusts of 130kmh in exposed places.

Inland Whanganui District, Manawatū and Rangitīkei districts north of Marton, and Ruapehu District south of Waimarino

• From 6pm Sunday until 2pm Monday, expect 120 to 170mm of rain with peak rates of 10 to 20mm per hour on Sunday night.

Rangitīkei District north of Marton

• From 5pm Sunday until 7am Monday, expect severe gale west-to-southwesterlies with damaging gusts of 130kmh in exposed places.

There are also strong wind watches in place for all other parts of the region from Sunday evening until Monday morning.

To read the full media release, head to the Manawatū-Whanganui Emergency Management Group website.

Image: MetService watches and warnings map as of 11am Sunday 15 February.